Thanks for your reply Fast01. Have you been reasonably satisfied with your machine so far? What kind of accuracy have you been able to hold with your lathe turning?
I ordered a few weeks ago after considering other options. The used American machines that I looked into were worn out. It seems most all new machines, at least the reasonably priced separates are all made in China with the same or perhaps worse quality control issues as Shoptask. The other 3 in 1 machines are not as well designed in terms of the milling machine as the Shoptask.
One of the posters here has had a casting problem. Most major castings are considered no wear items, so the vendor generally orders few if any spares. I imagine once they are gone, the customer gets repaired replacement units. I can understand why he would be and should be extremely upset. I hope that he was able to rectify the issue. The new Jet lathes which I have used had to be disassembled, cleaned, and tuned up before they would achieve any degree of accuracy. That seems to be a common issue with Chinese manufactured lathes. Once that was done, the accuracy was on par with the old South Bends.
If I'm not satisfied, I will load it up, hitch up the travel trailer, and head out west to do some pheasant and quail hunting. Then visit JT and get a refund. It's not but 5000 miles round trip and I have the time.